— I'm sorry about that, several of our students repudiate the underground. —He said as he stood in front of a large metal door.
— Don't worry, it was to be expected. By the way… What is this place? She—was walking with both hands behind her head, while he stretched me out.
We had been walking through several hallways, in which we could only see classrooms and classrooms full of students in class. Alexis didn't let me delve too deeply into them so as not to bother the other students. But she told me that she was going to show me a place that I was going to like. And that place was right behind him. Curiosity was eating me up inside. Alexis opened the door slowly, until it reached the maximum opening they allowed.
What they were hiding was a workshop of immense size. It had all kinds of tools, materials, machinery, etc. There was a teacher giving classes and several students building something. At that moment, upon seeing us, the teacher applauded and everyone stopped, then approached Alexis and welcomed her. But everyone changed their expression when they saw me up close. It was more than clear that this was going to happen all over the place.
—Professor Edison, would you mind if young Ersa participates in your class? —She looked at me from head to toe and put her hand on her chin. I looked at her for a few moments too.
She was wearing a black suit with belts on her wrist, a white shirt that could barely be seen through the opening of the suit. A long black cape fell from her upper back and a black hat with various gears, watches, and aviator goggles. Her hair was brown like coffee, worn in a beautiful bun. Her eyes were a golden tone like the accessories on her hat, I also noticed that she had these accessories on different parts of her clothing. Her skin was a soft vanilla color and her spinel pink lips stood out against it. She was so beautiful that I could barely look at her face, as I felt unworthy of seeing her.
— I have no problem, but you will have to show me that it is worth it. He walked away from us with subtle steps until he reached a table full of pieces. Everyone in the place looked at her somewhat uncomfortable, while ignoring my presence at all.
— Come closer young man, I want you to do something with these pieces on the table. I want to see your modus operandi ut inventor. —I didn't understand the last thing he said, but I went to her. While he was eaten away by the gazes of others, he could notice a subtle hatred in them. For a few moments I looked at Alexis, but he simply smiled as he gave a thumbs up.
I subtly approached the table and observed everything that was available. There were various metal parts, screws, gears, cables, etc. I put my hand to my chin, thinking about what I could do. An aircraft was too basic, a weapon or situational device would be too strange. My creativity was limited because of the situation I was in. I felt everyone's gaze, they were silently judging and criticizing me. For a moment I thought about leaving the place and returning home, but I wasn't going to give up just because of a situation that was expected. I took a deep breath and turned to look at the teacher.
— Can I use all the tools there are? —She nodded, while she watched me with a hand on her chin.
I started to walk around the place, ignoring the fact that everyone was watching me. The place was very spacious and had all kinds of tools. Welding machines, electric screwdrivers, presses, pneumatic machines, grinders, saws, blowtorches, etc. I felt like a kid in a candy store and, as such, I started taking everything I wanted. I took the tools to where the pieces were and dropped them on the table. I clapped my hands and rubbed my hands together, only to let out a sigh.
I began to take several pieces and look at them closely. The ones that didn't work for me, I threw aside until a pile of things began to form. On the other hand, I placed the ones that were useful to me in front of me. I didn't stop separating until I finished gathering what I needed. Among these things I got several gears, cables, lamps and a small battery. I started assembling the parts and welding. I made various splices with the cables until I was able to finish building a small box. I pressed a button on the bottom and two lenses that simulated eyes opened. Everyone was amazed, but it wasn't over yet.
I clapped my hands and the robot started playing a lullaby tune. Unfortunately, the robot started to smoke and ended up breaking down. I sighed when I realized that I forgot to put a power regulator on it. I turned to see the teacher expecting great disappointment, but that was not the case. She was delighted by what she had done. I could see her clear happiness in what she had done, which seemed strange to me since she had broken down.
- Awesome. —She said applauding. The entire student body looked at each other, before starting to applaud as well.
—But it broke down. —She laughed and patted my head.
— Don't be naive. Things are always going to fail, the important thing is that they can work. As you demonstrated with this invention. To all this… Are you the famous "Ersa"? He put his hand on his chin and tilted his head to the side.
- Famous? —I didn't understand what she was saying.
—Yes, he is that famous Ersa. The most underground most sought after by the avant-garde. Although they are pretty useless at his job. —Alexis said while she laughed.
- You're right. But seeing Ersa's modus operandi, I wouldn't be surprised if they struggled, even if they were the best in all of Rilim. This little guy has a lot of potential, I hope to see you here soon. —She smiled as she headed to her desk.
I could feel how the entire class glared at me. Alexis tapped my shoulder and gestured for me to come with him. I said goodbye to the teacher and the students. Only she greeted me, while the rest returned to what she was doing before my interruption. As I approached the door, I began to hear the murmurs of all of them. They were probably talking about me and wondering what she was doing there. I sighed and shook my head gently from side to side as I crossed the threshold of the entrance.
On the other side Alexis was waiting for me, leaning against a wall and checking a device that emitted a light. Seeing me, he immediately put the device away and continued walking down one of the three hallways in the place. The hallways were made of what appeared to be marble, with windows facing the outside of the city and celestial lights illuminating it. This was a "beautiful" artificial landscape. Alexis coughed, causing me to forget what I was thinking.
—So… what have you thought of the academy so far?
— Leaving aside marginalization. It's a pretty interesting place. —I put my hand to my chin. —I didn't ask before, but who was the boy who "attacked" me before?
— Hato Letack, is the grandson of the admiral of the vanguard. I think he generated some hatred towards you. —Alexis scratched his head with a somewhat nervous smile.
—So he's the admiral's nephew... great, now I have another possible enemy in here. —I began to look at the landscape through the windows.
The city was quite beautiful, I still couldn't believe I was in Rilim. I had spent my entire life in Pown, never imagining that one day I would be able to see the blue sky. I still remember my parents telling me "one day you will reach so high that you will be out there." They were right, I'm here. I hope you're watching me right now, Dad, Mom, and Eris. I ended up bumping into Alexis, and he slapped me on the shoulder. We had reached the end of the hallway and were in front of a door. He walked in while he was talking.
— Welcome to the most boring place in the entire academy, my office. —She walked until she reached an armchair behind a desk there.
It was a room with dark green carpets, with several bookcases on the sides, some couches in between, a chandelier shaped like a spider hanging from the ceiling, and a large window behind Alexis's desk. The place certainly gave off a boring and vintage vibe. I entered the place and lay down on one of the leather couches. It squeaked, making a sound similar to flatulence. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Alexis just sighed and continued talking.
—Well, Ersa. Here is the documentation to complete your registration. —I heard him slap a couple of papers on his desk.
— First I want to ask a couple of questions. —I got up and went to Alexis's desk.
— I see... What is the reason you ask now and not before? —She said, placing her palms intertwined at the level of her upper lip and resting her elbows on her desk. Staring at me.
- It is simple. To see what the place is really like and not orchestrate anything to deceive me. —I put my hand on the table.
— I see... I really wasn't wrong about you. I knew you were clever, but I never thought you were that clever. Okay, I admit that I would have "sweetened" things if you had asked me or said something beforehand. But I can assure you one thing, the scholarship, the money and the fact that I want you to study here are real. —She said between applause and with a smile.
—There are only three questions I have… Why do you want me to study here? Don't I really have to give something in return? Why now? —I crossed my arms and looked at him over my shoulder.
—Let's see, first I already told you why I want you to study here. I see a lot of potential in you and I know that you will be able to exploit it if you study in Astirte. Second, you just have to be a good student, that's enough pay. Third, why I recently decided to read the avant-garde reports and if it weren't for them, I wouldn't know about your existence. —He smiled in a way that was a little disturbing in my opinion, but I felt that he was telling the truth.
— Okay, where do I sign? —I said taking the papers he left on the table.
He gave me a pen and told me where to sign. As he did so he shook my hand with a smile. I took out a key from his desk and he handed it to me. This one had the number three engraved in Calitecno, something strange since I only saw that letter on plans. Suddenly, the door swung open. Causing a loud roar that scared us. When I turned around, I saw that it was the Admiral and Hato. They were clearly angry, I turned to look at Alexis. He stood up from the desk and coughed lightly.
—What do they need from us?
—What are you up to?! —The admiral shouted angrily.
- What are you talking about? I'm just getting a new student, nothing more.
This made the admiral more angry, he wanted to draw his weapon, but Hato stopped him. He stood in front of us and looked at me with contempt in his eyes. He was trying to intimidate me, which he wasn't going to do with so little. He hit his chest hard and turned his gaze to Alexis.
—I won't allow a scum like that to become a student at the academy! —He pointed at me with the index finger of her right hand. —As a member of one of the five houses, I demand that she duel against me for her vacancy in Astirte!
—Okay, he will duel with you. —Alexis, with a smile on her face, turned to look at the clock that was above the door threshold. —In twenty minutes we will wait for you in the Epsilon arena.